Transmission Fluid change?

[m00npie]

96 Explorer 4.0 V6 Sport 4x4 (125,000 Miles)

Hello,

For one reason or another, I have never changed the automatic tranny fluid for the life of the vehicle. No noticeable problems as of today and it still shifts smoothly.

Question is, what happens if I change it now? I have had a few people tell me in the local garage to forget about changing it because it could potentially cause problems such as rough shifting or even leaks.

Could anyone rebut this argument of “not changing the fluid”, or perhaps, provide additional information to agree with their recommendation.

Any info would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks.

 

[taxx]

How many miles are on this beast? I have heard the same thing from people I know, not just shops so I don't know the exact reasoning behind it. But if you can tell us the mileage we might be able to give you some input.

 

[m00npie]

Vehicle info updated in the initial post

 

[VBVA]

I have heard the same thing too. I think it was Alec that mentioned it to me. I have heard that all the pieces of dirt and grime that have buillt up in the tranny are actually holding the gears together, therefore preventing slippage while shifting. If you changed and flush the fluid, you will lose all this grime and the gears could begin slipping. At least thats what I have heard.

I don't think my fluid has ever been flushed and changed, but my tranny runs great and you don't want to mess with a great thing!

 

[X~FACTOR]

Ford service manual says, 60,000 miles. So what mileage is too late?

 

[Rhett]

I had mine flushed at 75,000, right after I bought it. No problems since.

Now it has 100,000 on it, and I'm debating with myself whether or not I should drain it and the TC and switch it to AMSOIL. I probably will, since the way I see it, if the trans blows up because you flush it, the trans was not right in the first place. I would rather have it blow up on me when I was trying to do the right thing rather than have it blow up some other time...

 

[Opera House]

Dirt holding it together?

Certainly at this age the valve body has loosened a little because the paper gasket shrink. Maybe the dirt particles keep it from leaking. There can also be be some stuff that that goes back into circulation with some new fluid. I did a pan drop and a filter change with less than 4 quarts of new fluid for the first time at 107K. Did it again after another 10K and that pan and filter was dirty. That time I also gave it a complete fluid exchange. Now the fluid has remained clean. And yes, I did find loose valve body bolts. High mileage would never stop me from changing the fluid as long as you take precautions. Just make sure you get the new MicroFelt filter and not the metal screen.

 

[Glacier991]

I don't tend to drive my Ex hard, just mainly up to 7000 foot elevation and then back down to sea level frequently. Practically never offroad. It now has 200K on it. I changed the transmission fluid at 75,000 and I did a complete change by pumping out old and adding in new a month ago. Last night I dropped the pan to change the filter. The thing was CLEAN. Yeah some dusty coating in the bottom of the pan, but that was it. Even the old filter looked good. ALL valve body bolts were ok. I guess I lead a charmed life. I have the replacement trannie in pieces in my garage, researching all the things to make it more bulletproof. But ya know, for a stock 92 A4LD, 200K isn't bad, and it's still doing ok... though it vents a little fluid these days on long Sierra uphills. I know, borrowed time - but hey!

Happy Exploring

Chris

 

[Rhett]

I'm going to install one of those transmission pan drain plugs when I drop mine...

 

[Glacier991]

I've been trying to find a zillion ways to justify a wirefeed MIG welder to my S.O..... last night I was explaining how I could have welded in a drain plug. She yawned. "Is that as hard as cleaning the garage" she asked?....


Happy Exploring...

Chris

 

[zavetsky]

Re: Dirt holding it together?

" Just make sure you get the new MicroFelt filter and n
not the metal screen."

Where are you guys finding the "microfelt" filters and how do you know if it is one??

I have checked at 3 shops and they all carry what looks to be metal screens....

????

Also, how many of you have emptied the torque convertor as well and is there a procedure for this as far as empying and refilling....how tough is it??

DZ

 

[slowjett]

Here is why they recomend not changeing your tranny fluid.

Becuase the fluid in the trany has thinned. It carries less mass and it easier on the internals. If you know the iner workings of an Auto Tranny you would know the less restriction offers better flow, not nessisarily better operation. But if you were to replace the Fluid it would be harder on the pumps, and blades and fins in the tranny and it iwll give it more potential for problems...

 

[aldive]

Nonsense,

 

[FLYIN 5.0]

OK guys after reading this thread I went over to my buddys house and asked him about high mileage trannys. He is a transmission mech. and has many years under his belt. He told me if you have not serviced your trans. in over 75,000 mi. or so you should just drop the pan and change the filter. He said don't do a fluid exchange as it will shock your tranny going from old fluid to new. He also said when doing a fluid exchange on high mileage cars he has seen people have many problems afterwards. He recommends once you drop the pan and change filter to continue serviceing it this way every 20,000mi. after. And you should avoid any problems. I happen to think this is pretty good advice.

 

[Opera House]

That is decent advice

and if you use the newer type filter, it will be ready to change in 20K. My 97 w/110K picked up a bunch of dirt in the next 10K and now it is running clean. The MicroFelt filter for a 97 5R55E will fit the older A4LD and is SPX says this is the recommended replacement. Don't use the old bolt because it won't tighten down. New filter comes with bolt hardware. www.bulkpart.com sells them for $10 and change. Compare that with $23 from Pep Boys and it pays for the $7.50 shipping. Like the name implies, these are bulk and don't come with the O rings (large & small) or the pan filter. That adds up to another $2. Buy extra and put them on the shelf.

 

[zavetsky]

Re: That is decent advice

Can you post the proper part numbers for the folks who want to use the "microfelt" filter in the 94 Explorer?? The site you posted really doesnt say that the filter is microfelt or not or that it is a recommended chage....

Can you point us to that info??

Thanks in advace...

DZ

Originally posted by Opera House
and if you use the newer type filter, it will be ready to change in 20K. My 97 w/110K picked up a bunch of dirt in the next 10K and now it is running clean. The MicroFelt filter for a 97 5R55E will fit the older A4LD and is SPX says this is the recommended replacement. Don't use the old bolt because it won't tighten down. New filter comes with bolt hardware. www.bulkpart.com sells them for $10 and change. Compare that with $23 from Pep Boys and it pays for the $7.50 shipping. Like the name implies, these are bulk and don't come with the O rings (large & small) or the pan filter. That adds up to another $2. Buy extra and put them on the shelf.

 

[Opera House]

Only the good ones get a picture

Their web master must charge by the word. Every time I go back the description gets smaller.

23921 Microfelt filter 4WD long pickup tube
23922 Microfelt filter 2WD short pickup tube
23270 O ring large
23271 O ring small
23141 pan gasket cork
23141D pan gasket rubber

I've used nothing but the cork gaskets and have been able to reuse them several times with no leaks. There are many O ring kits you can buy at places like Harbor Freight for just a couple bucks.

 

[zavetsky]

Re: Only the good ones get a picture

I was swapping emails with the tech there today and he said the "d" gasket is a paper/fibre one and is preferred over the oem style cork one....

I dunno....but that is the one I bought times 2....I ended up buying two filters, two gaskets and two of each oring...they have a $14.00 minimum, so 1 set wont do it....

I guess I have a spare now...<grin>

Originally posted by Opera House
Their web master must charge by the word. Every time I go back the description gets smaller.

23921 Microfelt filter 4WD long pickup tube
23922 Microfelt filter 2WD short pickup tube
23270 O ring large
23271 O ring small
23141 pan gasket cork
23141D pan gasket rubber

I've used nothing but the cork gaskets and have been able to reuse them several times with no leaks. There are many O ring kits you can buy at places like Harbor Freight for just a couple bucks.

 

[Metallic2001]

My transmission was running great last week too until all of a sudden a band inside broke and $1700 later I had a rebuilt tranny...I am going to start changing the fluid and everything on time now since i know how many miles are on it now..

 

[BradE.]

I've ordered stuff from Bulkpart before, the filters are nice! I just installed one in my Town Car about 300 miles ago, works great. I ended up getting 2 complete filter kits for less than $30, with shipping for my Lincoln.

I'm not sure on a 94 X, but I know on my 97 X, and 95 Town Car, the factory gasket is reuseable. Providing it's not torn of course. They are rubber gaskets.